16 bit

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

16 bit

   <architecture, programming> Using {words} containing sixteen
   {bits}.  This adjective often refers to the number of bits
   used internally by a computer's {CPU}.  E.g. "The {Intel 8086}
   is a sixteen bit processor".  Its external {data bus} or
   {address bus} may be narrower.  The term may also refer to the
   size of an instruction in the computer's {instruction set} or
   to any other item of data.

   See also {16-bit application}.

   (1996-05-13)